Cerrell Associates

PhRMA and America’s biopharmaceutical companies came together to achieve one common goal: ending COVID-19. The industry’s shared heritage of discovery and research allowed for a swift response to the coronavirus and the development of several vaccines. Over half of PhRMA member companies have research and development efforts under way or are providing donations of medicines and critical medical supplies, as well as providing financial donations to support patients and first responders in addressing this evolving crisis. In clinical trials and collaborations with governments around the world, PhRMA members are dedicated to working together to saving lives and ensuring that COVID-19 treatments are available to patients everywhere.

An experience like this stays with you, so at the age of 19 when given the opportunity to work at either the county welfare department or a county hospital, I chose the hospital. The one non-coaching experience that stands out was my work on the Medi-Cal reform legislation enacted in 1983 that saved California taxpayers billions of dollars during the ten years following its passage. We have over a million nurse vacancies in hospitals now, and the average age of a hospital-based nurse is about 48, and most of those will retire by age 55. From government relations and stakeholder development, crisis communications and media relations, issues and ballot measure campaigns, to facilitating some of the country’s largest hospital alliances, Cerrell has been trusted by its wide roster of clients to secure their goals.

Continuing our storied tradition of progressive social involvement, we are launching a dedicated social impact practice, focused on strategy development, communications management, and issues-based advocacy to transform communities and impact public policy. Led by an all-female team of experts, we will partner with clients across sectors, bringing our unmatched experience in politics, traditional and digital media management, coalition building and strategic communications to create lasting social change. Building on our work over the past five decades with non-profits, foundations, advocacy campaigns, and corporate clients, Cerrell now has a team dedicated to focusing our energy and skills on transformational change during a pivotal moment in our history. Whether you’re a large corporation aiming to be a more responsible corporate citizen, a foundation in need of a microphone to share your mission, or an organization looking to build an advocacy campaign for a public policy win, Cerrell is here to guide and amplify your efforts.

I watched the events of January 20 with particular interest, as a former presidential campaign staffer and self-described political junkie, and was once again in awe of how our democracy, fragile as it may be, is able to mark this important milestone every four years. Watching Kerry’s concession speech from a bar in downtown Washington, D. C. appropriately, the morning after Election Day, I clearly remember thinking, how could something I worked so hard for end like this? We won’t soon forget a ceremony marked by masks, social distancing and American flags in place of the usual crowds, but more importantly, the swearing in of our first woman, first African-American and first South Asian Vice President. Amid the chaos that has defined 2020, and the start of 2021, above all, the inauguration gave me hope – that we can start anew, that the nation can begin to heal and that our government can better reflect the people it represents.